Wednesday, August 05, 2026

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College Football Playoff

College Football Playoff Prediction: Andy Staples' 12-team bracket projection for 2026

Bryce Underwood, Gunner Stockton, CJ Carr, John Mateer

It's Andy Staples' turn to build his College Football Playoff bracket, but not because he agreed with co-host Ari Wasserman's projection last week. Every pick in Wasserman's version felt too plausible to Staples, right down to Ari's Texas national title, and that's exactly the problem. Some team has to blow up the bracket.

Staples' field still starts in familiar territory at the top, but the drama shows up fast. Ohio State and Michigan, fresh off their regular-season finale in Columbus, wind up on a collision course to play again just weeks later.

By the time the results shake out, at least one heavy favorite with a first-round bye doesn't survive the quarterfinals, a trend that's held in both years of the 12-team format. The national title game features a fascinating matchup between two traditional powers.

Staples has his full 12-team field, every first-round matchup and his round-by-round breakdown all the way to a national champion below.

READ MORE FROM PETE NAKOS →

Jalen Brewster intel: Final decision appears near for nation's No. 1 prospect

Steve Wiltfong has been talking to sources, and it seems like big news is brewing for Rivals No. 1-ranked overall 2027 prospect Jalen Brewster.
Committed to Texas Tech since October, Brewster continued to keep the likes of Florida and LSU warm. He also maintained dialogue with Indiana, SMU, and others.
Steve Wiltfong has all of the latest intel, including a prediction, with one school going so far as to say, "Bet on us."

Women's College Basketball

Women's basketball recruiting: Intel and notes on top 2027 prospects

Talia Goodman has fresh intel from July's evaluation period on some of the top uncommitted prospects in the 2027 women's basketball class, including where things stand for stock-riser Ashley MacCalla and Azy Jackson's newly released group of official visits.

Rivals Football Recruiting

NFL legacy, 2029 QB Justin Merriman’s recruitment is heating up

2029 QB Justin Merriman is forging his own path, with two blue bloods emerging as early standouts after June visits. Chad Simmons has the details on his summer travels, his commitment timeline, and which schools are in the mix.